Can my septum become loose from scratching inside my nose?

Question

Hey doctors. I keep overthinking a lot and this has been stressing me out and giving me a lot of anxiety. I know that I only have an L strut left and am just concerned how well connected it is without becoming loose. If it is so easy to harvest cartilage maybe it can become loose easily especially because there in only a very small amount at the caudal area. Sometimes I have to itch my nose inside with my finer gently and am nervous the septum will become loose...It really concerns me?

Mark G. Albert, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi Jackkaluchi,
You are exactly right. After surgery, all cartilage and soft tissue is extremely delicate, and it is possible to cause damage to the nose that you and your surgeon have been working to make as close to perfect as possible. I would encourage you to not insert your finger into the nose, and instead use a saline soaked q-tip to very gently touch the itchy area. Thank you very much for your question.

Mark G. Albert, M.D.
NYC Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon

Gregory Park, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Scratching the inside of your nose with your finger is generally not traumatic enough to damage the nasal septum. So if you have an itch, scratch away. Thank you for sharing your question. Best wishes. Dr. Gregory Park

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Can my septum become loose from scratching inside my nose?

Answers (2)

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